After 27 years of marriage, Bill and Melinda Gates are calling it quits. The couple broke the news on social media with both parties issuing a tweet on the matter. They married in 1994 after meeting at Microsoft, the software giant that Bill co-founded.
There’s no disputing their marriage was a productive one. Bill oversaw the expansion of Microsoft into one of the world’s largest companies, a crowing achievement that for a time made him the world’s wealthiest individual.
The pair would go on to form the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, one of the world’s largest philanthropic endeavors with $50 billion endowment. The foundation has been at the forefront of combating disease and poverty around the globe.
But with a separation imminent, questions loom about the fate of the couple’s immense fortune (by all estimates well over $100 billion) and the Foundation, which the party co-chairs.
Allegedly, there’s no prenuptial agreement and Melinda is declining to seek spousal support. Of course, the divorce proceedings will be fodder for tabloids and large publications alike.
Protect what you’ve built
Most of us have never founded a multi-national tech company, but we all have assets worth protecting. We have savings, retirement funds, property, and other assets that took years of hard work and discipline to acquire. If you’re getting a divorce, an experienced divorce attorney can ensure what you’ve worked so hard to build stays in your possession.
It’s important to meet with an attorney as soon as possible. Divorce law is often vague and ambiguous, an experienced attorney can craft an effective legal strategy around your unique objectives and provide rigorous representation before a judge or arbitrator.
If cost is a concern, most lawyers offer a free initial consultation at no out-of-pocket cost to the client.